Summertime in Deal is a swell of activity. CS and I stopped by the Deal Park JCC for the Kick-Off Event of their annual Jersey Shore Summer Film Festival. The ‘thought-provoking’ short and full length films feature filmmakers from around the world including Israel, Italy, Canada, Argentina, Australia and, of course, the US. The shorts include selections from the Ma’aleh School of Television, Film and the Arts dealing with issues ranging from the conflicts of love, war and religion in Israel to an insider’s look in to the life of a vegetable retailer in the souk to a survivor who lives to dance. Feature films include exciting titles like The Last Marranos, Only a Number and The Quarrel. The festival kicked off on July 27th and will continue until August 7th. For tickets and more info call 732 531 9106.

Stevie Doueck, the Festival’s Founding Director, graciously hosted us for part of the day; it was Wellness Wednesday featuring fitness classes, nutrition advice, the inspirational film Forks over Knives with a health discussion led by Sari Dan and a keynote address byDr. Frank Sabatino, a nutrition and wellness lifestyle counselor who incorporates chiropractic alignment, auriculotherapy and nutritional supplements in his private practice (whose work will be featured on the Kosher Scene’s Radio Show, time to be announced).

Jonny Zemmol, led a Laughter Therapy group, judging by the participants reactions during and after it was obviously fun, educational and a true release

We got to sample Fortune Debbah’s healthy salad dressings, which were simple to prepare and simply delicious. I’ve included one of her salad dressing recipes and a variation. The day’s festivities also included a healthy vegan lunch and dinner.

Fortune Debbah shared a recipe and a variation with the audience:

Garlic Basil Salad Dressing

Ingredients

2 garlic cloves

1 cup basil

1 teaspoon cumin

Juice of 2 lemons

Equal amount of water as juice yield

2 teaspoons flax seed

1 small piece of onion (optional)

5 nuts (walnuts)

Sea salt or braggs to taste

Directions

Mix all ingredients in blender and use immediately

Variation

1 cup mint instead of basil, skip the cumin

We hope to bring you an interview with Fortune Debbah very soon, meanwhile, enjoy the salad dressing. Marlene Mamiye from The Jewish Hostess alerted us to this festival and we are glad she did!